Trump, Tents and Capitalism

Last Friday, I was on CNBC's Kudlow & Co. show. The topic, as always, was the joys of capitalism. When I was asked something like whether the Democrats would increase taxes for the rich, I said something like, "if the Democrats can redistribute the tax burden, i.e. tax those that have more by more, we can pump the same net revenue into the fiscal budget, maybe even more revenue, and the markets would be fine."

I just don't think higher taxes on the rich will crash the markets. It occurred to me, that this means I believe in the power of capitalism more than many free-marketer types. I think capitalism will find a way to grow even if it has to pay more taxes, in the process. Meaning, it can withstand higher taxes and tighter regulations....more on that over the course of the year.

Separately, I watched The Apprentice Sunday night. I've never quite warmed to Donald Trump or the show, but this season, there's a different premise; divide the wannabe apprentices into winners, or 'have's', who get to live in a mansion and chow on Wolfgang Puck's cuisine and losers, or 'have nots', who get to live in tents and chow on fairly unmemorable food.

It turns out that Donald Trump is somewhat of a sociologist, maybe even a rebel, after all. Sure, in his world, the hungry and ambitious take all and boost ratings in the process. They are called winners. The losers, on the other hand, get nothing, which on the show, forces them to become more resolved to reclaim what they belief is rightfully theirs from the winners.

Frank and his team only lost the car-wash challenge to Heidi's team by a tiny margin. But, Frank probably didn't come on the show because he likes camping. Equally, Heidi's not likely to want to share the mansion any time soon. Carry forth that idea into mainstream society and Trump, the billionaire, would appear to be calling for a revolution.

As Emma Goldman said, "If they do not give you work, demand bread. If they deny you both, take bread. It is your sacred right."

I'm staying tuned for the season.

Comments

[Babette]

Yet I wonder how comfortable those super rich when they are living right next door to those tents, watching the wide eyes and extended bellies. The Donald came down here to the DR and opened a new multimillion dollar place for the have-much-mor-than enoughs here in the Dominican Republic, where the public schools run only 4 hours a day. Surely somewhere inside, they have a twinge?